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¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’s 75th anniversary conference on Challenges and New Directions in Multi-Level Governance kicked off on 25 April 2024 at Concordia University, ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô. The conference was presented in partnership with the Government of Québec, Concordia University, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) Canada, and the Conseil des relations internationales de ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô (CORIM), and with collaborative support from the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA) and the Société québécoise de science politique (SQSP), Future Earth, Sustainability in the Digital Age, Forum of Federations, and Connexion internationale de ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô (CIMtl). We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners and collaborators for their invaluable contributions to this international conference.

Opening Remarks

In her opening address, Kim Fontaine-Skronski, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Executive Director and Master of Ceremonies, extended a warm welcome to the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Executive Committee, speakers, participants, and guests. She thanked the Program Committee as well as the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Secretary and staff, and thanked all the partners who helped to organize this event.

After Dr. Fontaine-Skronski’s remarks, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ President Pablo Oñate highlighted the organization's historic mission of promoting political science worldwide. Dr. Oñate expressed gratitude to the Program Committee and Prof. Daniel Salée, Chair of the Political Science Department at Concordia University, for their contributions to the success of the conference. Prof. Oñate also commented on the relevance of the conference theme, noting that multi-level governance has been on the rise notably since the start of the 21st century. He pointed out that the emergence of a new regionalism has led to a change in political structures and a dispersion of power from the state upwards and downwards. He noted that while the state is not disappearing, its role is certainly evolving. 

Daniel Salée began his address by paying tribute to the unceded indigenous territories upon which Concordia University was established. Prof. Salée then highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the university and ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ, which has spanned over 18 years. He concluded by expressing his best wishes for a successful conference and fruitful discussions on multi-level governance. 

Panels

Following the opening remarks, the first morning session featured a series of engaging panels on a diverse range of topics related to multi-level governance. These included the role of the European Union in the global arena, federalism, indigenous governance, climate policy, and conflict.

After a brief intermission, the discussions resumed exploring pressing contemporary issues such as multi-level governance challenges faced by the European Union, global perspectives on federalism, identity politics, environmental sustainability, and governance in conflict zones.

The afternoon sessions focused on global governance challenges. These included discussions examining trust, democracy, and legitimacy within the EU; the impact of federalism on policy; multi-level governance in diplomacy and citizens’ participation; comparative governance perspectives; and evolving security landscapes.
 

Practitioners’ Roundtable on Challenges and New Directions in Multi-Level Governance
The highlight of the day was the Practitioners’ Roundtable on Challenges and New Directions in Multi-Level Governance, chaired by ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ President Pablo Oñate. This roundtable brought together prominent practitioners from different institutions to share their extensive experience in the field of multi-level governance. Sara Veilleux, Director General, Africa, Francophonie and Multilateral Relations, Québec Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie; Oumar Diallo, Director, Office of International Relations, City of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô; Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Québec-Labrador and Expert-in-Residence, Concordia University; Micheline Ayoub, Executive Director, Future Earth; and Norbert Eschborn, Director, Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) Canada, reflected on the complexities of multi-level governance and discussed innovative strategies to address its inherent challenges. 

The 75th Anniversary Ceremony and Reception
The first day concluded with a ceremony marking ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’s 75th anniversary attended by many special guests, including representatives from the Québec Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie, the City of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Canada, as well as ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Executive Committee members and conference participants. 

Kim Fontaine-Skronski - ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Executive Director
¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’s 75th anniversary ceremony began with an address by ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski, who welcomed guests and thanked the conference partners and collaborators for their support. Dr. Fontaine-Skronski took the opportunity to announce the launch of the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Timeline, a digital chronicle on the association's website, showcasing the milestones that have shaped ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ over the past 75 years. Discover the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Timeline now!   

Graham Carr - President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University
In his address, Graham Carr, President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University, welcomed conference participants to Concordia and congratulated ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ on its 75th anniversary. Prof. Carr highlighted the collaborative efforts between ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ and Concordia, emphasizing their shared priorities of supporting colleagues in emerging democracies and facilitating open exchanges of ideas. Prof. Carr also commended ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's global network and Concordia's pivotal role in its growth, citing joint initiatives such as the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ-Concordia Summer Institute in Applied Diplomacy. Prof. Carr concluded by highlighting Concordia's achievements in political science and the significance of ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's work in addressing pressing global challenges. 

Martine Biron - Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie
Martine Biron, Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, delivered a video message acknowledging ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's pivotal role in shaping political science since its foundation in 1949 and emphasizing ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's prominent place among the 80 international associations based in ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô. The minister also reaffirmed the Government of Québec’s commitment to supporting ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ and promoting mutual values.   

Alia Hassan-Cournol - City of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô Councillor
In her video address, Alia Hassan-Cournol, representing the Mayor of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô and the city administration, congratulated ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ on its 75th anniversary. She also discussed the administration's ongoing efforts to combine theory and practice to develop public policies that create a more inclusive society.

Stéphane Paquet - President and CEO of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô International
In his video message, Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô International, extended warm congratulations to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ on its 75th anniversary and the conference. Mr. Paquet highlighted ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's role as the global voice of the political science community, emphasizing its efforts to bring together diverse perspectives from around the world to advance the field of political science. He further noted that the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Secretariat has been headquartered in ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô for nearly two decades and that its collaboration with Concordia University, ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô International, and other international organizations contributes to ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù°ùé²¹±ô's status as the Canadian capital of international organizations.

Norbert Eschborn - Director, Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) Canada
Norbert Eschborn, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) Canada, reflected on the themes of the conference and the enduring partnership between ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ and KAS in the promotion of political science. He highlighted the important role played by ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski in fostering a fruitful partnership between the two organizations since 2019 and acknowledged the contributions of women in advancing ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’s mission.

Pablo Oñate - ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ President
¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ President Pablo Oñate thanked the Program Committee, conference partners, and collaborators for their contributions and reiterated the importance of multi-level governance in addressing contemporary global challenges. President Oñate also took the time to reflect on ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’s long journey since its foundation in 1949 and its first World Congress in 1950 in Zurich. He discussed the evolution of the Association, most notably reflected in its increased gender inclusivity. He concluded by expressing his profound gratitude to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’s global community and to all those who contributed to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’s success. 

Photo (left to right): Norbert Eschborn (Director, Konrad Adenauer Foundation Canada), Graham Carr (President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University), Pablo Oñate (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ President) and Kim Fontaine-Skronski (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Executive Director).